Colourfields

Blackburn

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Blackburn’s Panopticon, Colourfields, is a dramatic transformation of the former cannon battery in Blackburn’s Corporation Park, originally installed for the Park’s opening in 1857 to house two Russian cannons captured during the Crimean War.

The battery had since fallen into disrepair, and the design and construction of Colourfields enabled part of this important structure and its associations with Blackburn’s history to be preserved rather than dismantled, as would otherwise have been necessary owing to deterioration.

Whilst Colourfields uses the base of the former battery, it adds a new dimension of space, height and – of course – colour with its raised viewing points and candy stripes created from pastel-coloured tiles.

From the top of the structure, the panorama of the Park below, the town beyond and distant views out towards Lytham, Southport and Fleetwood, is simply breathtaking.

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Project Information

Designed by:

Jo Rippon Architecture with artist Sophie Smallhorn

Images:

Plan your visit:

From the M65 J6 take the A678 exit to Blackburn N Cent – At the round about take the third exit onto Whitebirk Dr/A6119 – Turn left onto Whalley Old Rd – At the roundabout take the second exit onto Beech St – Turn left onto Plane St – Turn right onto Whalley New Rd/A666 – Turn left into St James’s Rd – Turn right on to Shear Brow/B6232 – Turn left onto Revidge Road, (BB2 6DT) the best entrance to use for Colourfields is the one on Revidge Road.

There are regular buses from Blackburn or Preston to the main gates of Corporation Park or alternatively a local service will drop off at the top of Shear Brow. For details about public transport please contact Blackburn Visitor Centre 01254 688040.

For information out of normal office hours contact Travelines 0871 2002233 or National Rail 08457 484950.